The book, however, taken as a whole, is written in an upright and charitable spirit, and affords in the main, we should think, a faithful sketch of the sentiments of the several denominations of which it treats. This is accompanied with valuable historical notices. The articles are necessarily brief. That on Unitarianism occupies nine pages. Twelve pages are given to the "Tractarians or Puseyites," four to the "Come-Outers," and as many to the Millerites. We remark as rather a singular omission, that the Congregationalists, though twice mentioned, have no separate article assigned them. The "Humanitarians" appear as a sect, but no statistics are given. Only one individual is named, and that is Rev. Theodore Parker, of Roxbury, who is called one of the ablest of modern Humanitarians," and extracts to the amount of five pages are given from one of his discourses as explanatory of his views.

The book has some defects, but contains a good deal of useful information in a very readable form, and its circulation, we believe, may do good by making the different classes of Christians better acquainted with each other's sentiments.

The story about Charles V. in his " monastery" with his "clocks and watches," we see, is permitted to stand. We observe, too, that Rev. Dr. Mayhew of Boston is enumerated among those who "publicly preached" the doctrine of Universalism before the arrival of Rev. John Murray, in 1770. We suppose that this is a blunder.

L.

Letter to a Lady in France on the Supposed Failure of a National Bank, the Supposed Delinquency of the National Government, the Debts of the several States, and Repudiation; with Answers to Inquiries concerning the Books of Capt. Marryatt and Mr. Dickens. Boston: B. H. Greene. 1843. 8vo. pp. 56.

HERE is a pamphlet written with great good sense and good temper, and in a plain and easy style, on some of the most interesting topics which can now engage the attention of Americans. It is well known that the credit of the nation has greatly suffered abroad, and we are pronounced, by many, a nation of bankrupts and swindlers. A citizen of the United States travelling in Europe, or visiting it for purposes of business, is exposed to hear his country, in the character of which he has hitherto taken a just pride, and which still stands first in his affections, constantly charged with bad faith, and other faults or crimes; and to some of the accusations brought against it he finds it difficult, perhaps, to give any very satisfactory reply, or VOL. XXXVI. 4TH S. VOL. I. NO. I.

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at least, any reply which foreigners, imperfectly acquainted as they are with the nature of our institutions, shall deem sufficient. The worst is, that the failure of some of the States to meet their obligations in Europe is charged as a fault upon Republican institutions, and the sacred cause of freedom is suffering from our delinquencies. An intelligent American, now in England, speaking of repudiation, says, in a letter we have just received: "this is a subject which comes quite home to the feelings of Americans residing in Great Britain; but a person must be present here to realize how our country has fallen in the estimation of Europe since the stoppage of interest on the part of some of the States. The best friends of freedom and reform whom England contains, assure me that they can do nothing, while America continues in her present unenviable position. Our non-payment is attributed to the nature of our Republican institutions; and despots, who ten years ago trembled upon the mention of the free, prosperous, and happy United States, now repose in undisturbed rest, and rivet the chains about the liberties of their subjects closer than ever." Similar accounts, of the odium we have incurred, cross the Atlantic every month.

* * * * * *

The pamphlet before us is a Letter addressed to an American lady in France, who went to Europe while very young, and when "all was tranquil and flourishing in the United States,” and who, it seems, has recently written "to inquire what ground there could possibly be for the dreadful accusations she hears against us everywhere abroad." The Letter is published at the request of some friends to whom it was shown, and who "had ridiculed the idea of any attempt at exculpation, supposing that the nation was dishonored past hope." The writer has done well to consent to its publication, and for ourselves we thank him for it. He states circumstances as they are, without, however, attempting to justify the doctrine of repudiation—a doctrine of which no terms which language affords are too strong to express our abhorrence. Still the charge of repudiation is one to which certain of the States, and not the nation, as such, is exposed, - a distinction which foreigners are not ready enough to make.

Among other topics treated by the writer, are the United States Bank; debts of the States; love of money; gravity of manners; slavery; Lynch law; success of our form of government; selfishness; dishonesty; coarseness of manners; tyranny of public opinion; security of property; elections; popular violence; mobs; strength of the government; general results of our experiment; and growing attachment to the Union. The writer does not attempt to defend what is indefensible, nor to palliate dishonesty. He manifests a strong love of justice, and

honorable and elevated feelings. His pamphlet, if read abroad, would have the effect, certainly of making the case of our country better understood, and perhaps of rendering Europeans somewhat less indiscriminate in their censure.

We are gratified to learn that the sale of this Letter has been such as to demand a second edition, which will appear in a few days, with the name of the author, Mr. Thomas G. Cary, of this city.

L.

The Kingdom of God. A Sermon, preached at the Ordination of John Pierpont Jr., as Pastor of the Second Congregational Church in Lynn, October 11, 1843. By Rev. CALEB STETSON. With the Charge, by Rev. JOHN PIERPONT. Right Hand of Fellowship, by Rev. J. T. SARGENT. Address to the People, by Rev. CONVERS FRANCIS, D. D. Lynn. 1843. 8vo. pp. 30.

THESE are fresh, stirring, earnest performances. Whether or not some of the views are too highly colored, and the statements occasionally overcharged, is not a question we feel any disposition to discuss. Strong, ardent feeling does not deal much in critical analysis, but talks "right on," pouring out its own fervid utterances as they come up from the depths of the soul, without qualifying phrase, or formal definition.

The Sermon by Mr. Stetson, like all his performances, shows an active, vigorous mind, and great sincerity and warmth of feeling. The "Reign of God" in the world—its present imperfect establishment and what are the prospects of its coming what we can do to hasten it constitute his topics. In the course of his remarks he speaks of the selfishness of the age, the need of reform, and the signs of the speedy coming of a better era. Whether his readers should or should not go along with him in all his views and they are not ultra- they will give him credit, at least, for avoiding denunciation and abuse, which form the staple of so much of the eloquence of the day.

L.

Dedication with Joy. A Sermon, delivered at the Dedication of the New Meetinghouse of the First Congregational Society in Charlestown, N. H., Nov. 8, 1843. By J. CROSBY, Pastor of the Society. Keene. 1843. 8vo. pp. 12.

THE idea which runs through this Discourse- dedication with joy appears to us a happy one, accordant with the Christian spirit, and growing directly out of the religious nature of man. The hallowed associations which gather around the house of worship, - dedicated to the Universal Father, to Chris

tian liberty, to a spirit of love and peace, -naturally connect themselves with joy and gladness-the joy of faith and hope, ever pointing upward to the home of the purified soul. The Discourse is written in a pure and perspicuous style, and in a tone which must have been felt to harmonize with the occasion, with the feelings of devout hearts, and the divine breathings of a Gospel of love.

L.

The Christian Doctrine of Consecration. A Sermon preached to the Society worshipping in the First Congregational Church, Quincy, on Sunday, November 19, 1843. By their Minister, WILLIAM P. LUNT. Quincy. 1843. 8vo. pp. 16.

THIS discourse was prepared in the usual course of ministerial duty, and contains sound instruction. From the text, “It is Corban, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me," Mark vii. 11, Mr. Lunt treats of the various evasions of moral duty, in different ages, under pretence of religion, or the performance of religious rites- rites often founded on mistaken piety or superstition. He then speaks of true Christian consecration, as regards one's property, time, affections, and person, or life. The sermon is marked by that purity of style which distinguishes all Mr. Lunt's performances.

L.

Sermon preached November 26, 1843, at the Ordination of Mr. Dexter Clapp, over the Unitarian Church at Savannah, Ga. By HENRY W. BELLOWS, Minister of the First Congregational Church in New York. With the Charge, by SAMUEL GILMAN, D. D. of Charleston, S. C. New York. 1843. 8vo. pp. 32.

WE welcome this Discourse from the extreme South with no ordinary pleasure. Mr. Bellows feelingly laments that a theme was forced upon him by circumstances, which he would not otherwise have chosen. He would gladly forget, if he could, that the Church throughout the world was not sympathising with the joy inspired by the occasion. But this was impossible. "We cannot," says he, "if we would, banish the reflection that we are greatly isolated in this day's business; that there is something which divides between us and the great body of believers." What this is, he goes on to state. He considers Unitarians alone as following out the true Protestant principleas in fact the only genuine and consistent Protestants. This proposition he illustrates at some length.

But there is a truth, he says, "lying deeper than the right of private judgment, and which indeed is the foundation of that right, and the centre upon which turns the whole theological controversy of our times. The right of private judgment has its basis in the worth of the individual man." Starting from this point, the worth of "man as man," he proceeds to speak of the influence of Unitarian and Orthodox views of human nature, as favorable or unfavorable to "human progress and individual growth," in other words, to the "freedom and salvation of the individual man"-to his "salvation from ignorance and sin; from intellectual and moral death." We will not attempt to give a view of the variety of his topics and illustrations; nor will our space allow us to speak particularly of the excellent Charge by Dr. Gilman.

71.

I..

The Present. No's 1, 2, 3, and 4. New York: W. H. Channing, Editor and Proprietor. 1843. 8vo. 36 pp. in each

number.

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THEY who have seen this "little Monthly," as the editor modestly calls it, in his "Introduction," will not need to be told what we have just said, - that it is published in New York, where the first number was issued in September last; that it is under the editorial management of Rev. William H. Channing; and that its aim is, and will be, to aid all movements which seem fitted to produce union and growth in religion, science, and society." "It will seek to reconcile faith and free inquiry, law and liberty, order and progress; to harmonize sectarian and party differences by statements of universal principles, and to animate hopeful efforts on all sides to advance the reign of Heaven on earth." As we have looked into its pages, it has seemed to us to be full of hearty and significant words; to be animated by a most humane, sympathizing and manly spirit; and to set forth its views with frankness and independence. Topics relating to social amelioration are more prominent than any others, though there is such variety as to include fiction and verse, sketches and fables. We do not find the Present, though inclined to favor Fourierism, to be the professed organ of the friends of the doctrine of Association in this country. That office belongs rather to the Phalanx. For our own part, we should value this periodical, and greet its appearance with a welcome, if for no other reason, yet because it affords a channel through which its able and true-hearted editor can communicate with his fellow-men at large. It is hardly necessary to say that our views, in relation to many of the topics he so earnestly discusses, do not coincide with his. If they did, our efforts, of